Indus Creed’s Uday Benegal Made a Song Inspired by Animal Communication

When Mumbai rock veterans Indus Creed’s frontman Uday Benegal moved to Goa in 2020, he termed it a “purposeful move.” He says, “City energy has become too hectic for me now. I’m very sensitive to it.”

There were a lot of changes being made by Benegal, who had been born and raised in Mumbai. He had his first ayahuasca experience in 2019 and again in 2020. He clarifies that it’s not for recreational purposes and says that it brought about a “tough love healing process.” Among other things, it connected the artist to nature “very strongly.” Benegal says he had a growing connection with nature after touring with Indus Creed and his other projects over the years, but ayahuasca “stepped on he gas and how.” He adds, “It was like hyperdrive.” So, he moved to Goa and along the way, found his bond with nature – starting with the six dogs he interacts with near his home every day. “They’re my morning therapy,” Benegal says.

When he heard about animal communication from a friend, he immediately felt like it was “something I would do” and connected with telepathic animal communicator and expert in neuro-linguistic programming, Manjiri Latey. Not only did Benegal pick up on animal communication – first via Zoom classes and then a five-day advanced workshop – but found Latey to be inspirational doing “tremendous work.” In parallel, he had been contacted by podcast host Jack Stafford, a British musician who interviewed and facilitated songs through his show’s conversations, called Podsongs.

Eventually, the paths connected and Benegal realized he had to speak about Latey’s work. On the 145th episode of Podsongs – which has previously featured artists like A Place to Bury Strangers – Stafford and Benegal created the groovy song “Hollow Bones,” inspired by conversations on the podcast. A press release for the song says, “‘Hollow Bones’ serves as a musical reflection of the enlightening discussion, drawing upon the themes of open-mindedness, self-trust, and compassion towards animals. The song seamlessly weaves together lyrics that echo the importance of interconnectedness and the role of humans as channels for communication with the universe.”

Stafford picked up on part of Benegal and Latey’s conversation, specifically the idea of hollow bones, sending the artist a rough idea with the hook. Sonically, Benegal points to being inspired by John Mayer’s song “Rosie” in terms of groove. Later, Stafford suggested bringing in Italian musicians including bassist Luigi Falcione, drummer Massimino Voza and multi-instrumentalist Maurizio Sarnicola to embellish the track.

Ask Benegal if it’s the first of more solo releases and he’s not exactly committed to the idea. “I don’t have a project that I want to pursue right now,” he adds. Nevertheless, plans are on with Indus Creed – including a show at Sunday Soul Sante in Mumbai on February 24th and 25th.

Where he’s keener, however, is to collaborate, like he did last year (in an unlikely way) on metal band Bhayanak Maut’s “Just a Metal Kid.” Benegal even joined the band on stage at Mahindra Independence Rock, performing the song, along with “Shoreline” and a cover of American metal band Killswitch Engage’s “The End of Heartache.” He says of the experience, “Truthfully, those songs those three songs I played with them on stage at I Rock was some of the most fun I’ve had in a really long time.” He adds, “I would love to do more solo stuff. I love collaborating with other musicians. I love working with other people and I love working with other styles.”

Listen to “Hollow Bones” below. Stream the song on more platforms here.